SpaceX is Gearing Up for Historic “Double-Header” Launches This Weekend

In Brief

SpaceX will be launching two missions this weekend, the first will launch today and the second is planned for Sunday. Friday's launch will represent not only SpaceX's second time reusing a rocket booster, but also the second spacecraft Bulgaria has ever launched into space.

SpaceX has a “double-header” planned for the weekend — two separate launches, one set for later today and then another on Sunday. In what seems like a growing theme for SpaceX as of late, today’s launch will again be making history as the mission that put Bulgaria’s first communications satellite into orbit. Even more, this is only the second spacecraft Bulgaria has ever launched into space, the first being a weather satellite launched nearly 36 years ago.

Photo Credit: Bulgaria Sat

Today’s mission is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. EST and has a two hour window to allow for delays. Thus far, weather seems to be cooperating with these plans. Sunday’s launch is planned for take-off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with a payload of Iridium satellites.

The Bulgarian satellite launch is the second instance of SpaceX reusing a rocket booster. The rapid succession for these launches in indicative of exactly what Elon Musk was hoping to achieve with reusable rockets. Not only does recycling rockets allow for cheaper launches, but it significantly cuts down on the time needed to prepare for each one.

SpaceX is continuing to make history and is cementing itself as the leading provider for the entire world’s extraterrestrial needs.